Miracles, Hope, Traditions, Believe

As we countdown to the big day we stop and think what is important in each of our lives.

When I was a little girl this time of year was always a special time spent with my granma Ruby. She always faithfully picked me up each Sunday morning and took me to Sunday School and then to church. From the time I can remember until the age of 12 I faithfully attended. I would always look forward to the chance of being in the yearly Christmas pageant. Unfortunately I missed more than I actually got to participate in because I usually came down with a cold or something and would be unable to continue. I was always amazed in the story of the birth of Christ and the miracles it brought. Of course even than I questioned how it was possible and wasn't always given the answers I thought I wanted, faith wasn't in my vocabulary back then for many reasons, possibly just the unanswered questions that wouldn't and haven't been answered for me in my past but as I have gotten older I have had to put my faith into play.

Over the past several weeks I have watched alot of the movies on Hallmark Channel, Lifetime, etc. that have something to do with the holidays I always enjoy the messages they bring of hope, miracles and all the things you remember as a child and sometimes forget as you grow older. It's always nice just to take time from you hectic day and laugh. I particularly enjoy the old favorites like "Miracle on 34th Street" (the original version), "It's a Wonderful Life", "Christmas Carol", "A Christmas Story". Each one takes you back to a time where worries weren't what they are today and still the message they bring still holds true.

I guess this is why even though with all the commercialism, the true meaning of Christmas and all it's traditions whatever they might be for each of us still is a special time for me. It brings the child out in all of us, hey I like to think I am 47 but still a kid at heart, I'll probably never grow up completely anyway.

Twelve days and counting, the sad things is it will be over before we know it.

The Christmas Tree-Fresh vs. Artificial

Well we went that road I vowed I would never travel again. I guess it's true never say never. This year marked a temporary end to our tradition for the past 27 years that we went the artificial tree route. There was tears and apprehension (on my part) but I guess depending on how you look at it I took the "green" way.

Let me go back to a time that cemented my reason for purchasing a "live" tree. I grew up at a time and I am sure that there are several people who can back me up on this that lived with the now "retro" tinsel look tree with the color wheel or the green cellophane look trees of years ago. Living with a fireman as a dad we were more concerned with the fire safety than the look or smell of a tree that had been cut down and brought not only the fragrance (something we are not allergic too like some) and just the experience of having one. So until I ventured out on my own I made a vow I would never go back to the dark side. (Just kidding)

Well in the age of "being green" and also with our schedule each year we have a very short time frame of purchasing a real trip. Which usually entails before a rain/snow storm and whenever a vehicle other than a car is available to go down and retrieve it from the sole Sunrise Optimist group that sells them here in town. Gone also are the days of "flocking" not an option here so the possibilities have been cut down. Although I will no longer be contributing to the cause of the Optimist I hope they will understand.

Being positive the trees of today do look almost real, they don't shed, and the expense will not be as great but sometimes there is just somethings associated with Christmas you don't want to give up.

I guess this is my way of becoming more flexible, you be the judge.

Reliving the Memories of Holidays Past

I am going to try and hit upon some of the past Christmas time memories that have happened over the years that helped to shape my life throughout the years.

One that happened 26 years ago was the day that David and I got engaged. Our chance meeting one year earlier before the Thanksgiving holidays would help to shape the wonderful years we have spent together. The story of our meeting I like to say you meet the person you are going to marry not when you are looking, but when you aren't.

I was a part of our inter-office move and David worked for the moving company that moved our facilities. We literally spent an entire weekend Fri-Sun for 12+ hours a day moving our office of 100+ people. He said the first thing that impressed him about me was the fact that I worked harder than any of the guys did, "beware of things in small packages". We managed to eat lunches and dinners together and when he came back to the new office on Monday morning I already had my phone number ready (if he asked, and he did) and I guess they say the rest is history.

The following year on Christmas Eve he went down on one knee in my apartment and proposed with a lovely ring he picked out all by himself. Needless to say it was the best Christmas gift I had up until that time.

So for those who try and try to find that special someone, stop take a break and let it happen on its own, it's worth the wait....

Christmas with Santa 2006

Memories of Christmas, for which I have many. One that is a most cherished one as a parent happened just a few years ago. I have always believed the old saying "a picture is worth a 1,000 words". I like to think with all the pictures we took while the kids were growing up, the many trips we took and events that needed to be captured that maybe that was why our daughter Jennifer wanted to become a photographer.

But one infamous picture that eluded us every year was the picture with Santa Claus. The first Christmas related photo taken was when Matthew was not even 2 months old. It was our first surprise trip to MO to introduce him to his grandparents. Of course I had to find his first Christmas outfit which was the ever popular Christmas onesie with a matching cap. We propped him on our couch and low and behold his first holiday photo was captured.

Every year we would dress both kids in holiday clothes and trek either to the mall or some early function that would include a Santa. But alas our time spent in long lines was always for not because immediately the kids would back away from the bearded one. So needless to say not one kids with Santa picture.

Each year I would bring up this fact and finally it happened. Both kids got together and surprised me with my first Santa picture. Of course they were 20 and 21 respectively, but the point is they thought enough (and probably were tired of hearing from mom) that I didn't have a picture.

Christmas morning 2006 I opened the most precious gift they could have ever given me. Add the tears and repeat of the story from them. (They met at the mall and walked right up amongst the tiny tots, parents and others and told Santa there story that there poor mother never got a picture of them with Santa. They said that Santa and his elves got a real kick, and some interesting glances from those waiting for there turn) but hey it makes me think of the Hallmark commercial "When you care enough, to give the very best" and my two did.....